IT makes sense that Stratum is favourite for next Saturday’s Sky Bet Ebor. Willie Mullins’ horse looked a little unlucky in finishing third behind his stable companion Lagostovegas in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, on his first run on the flat for the champion National Hunt trainer. And he gained deserved compensation when he danced in last time in the all-new JLT Cup at Newbury off just a 2lb higher mark.

The handicapper raised him by 8lbs for that win to a mark of 102, but the worry is that that may not be sufficient, on two counts. Firstly, it may not be enough to halt his progression. But secondly, and more pressingly, it may not be sufficient to get him into Saturday’s race.